The mission of Empowering Immigrant Women is to inspire immigrant women in Idaho and across the nation. I was inspired to create this community group when I moved from Salt Lake City to Idaho because when I arrived in Idaho, I noticed that there were no immigration or refugee centers/resources in Southeast Idaho. I believe that by creating this group, I will be able to help many immigrant women living in Idaho or even across the United States. We can do this by:
(1) encouraging immigrant women to gain formal education. I moved to America to attend a university when I was only 19. I left my family, culture, and friends in the Philippines. I was so apprehensive at first, but I knew that I had to pursue higher learning to prepare myself for the future. I knew how important it is to have a formal education in this competitive world. I believe that gaining a formal education will help immigrant women prepare for whatever circumstances they may find themselves in. I also know that by gaining a formal education, it will not only benefit them, but their family and community as well.
(2) informing the public. I always love to share and talk about my culture and my heritage with people around me. I believe that by sharing immigrant stories with the public, I will create understanding and cultural awareness in the community.
(3) motivating them to develop self-confidence. I remember when I first came to America, I was so shy. I was usually bubbly and had many friends back in the Philippines, but when I came here the first time, I was scared to start conversations. That was when I got out of my comfort zone. I joined multiple talent competitions by playing the piano because I am good at it. I joined a beauty pageant where I represented my country and I won! Then I joined a university orchestra, where I played the violin and was the Filipino club president for a year at my university. With all the extracurricular efforts that I did, I gained so many friends and several of them become my lifelong friends.